5 Reasons Canada is Perfect for Solo Female Travel

Solo Travel in Canada.

Solo travel in Canada is amazing. As some of you already know, Canada’s beautiful national parks are free in 2017. So, if you’ve always wanted to visit Canada, now’s the time to pack your hiking gear, book your plane tickets, and experience the trip of a lifetime.

I took a camping trip to Canada in 2014, which taught me many lessons about myself. Sometimes I still laugh about my experience. Me? On a camping trip? Getting dirty? Ha! Crazy, but I loved every second of it. I hiked through Banff and Jasper, and then spent a few swanky days chilling in Vancouver. I returned to Canada again in 2016, but this time I enjoyed a long weekend exploring Montreal, complete with a hockey game!

Not a fan of camping trips or national parks? No problem! Canada is perfect for solo female travel for many other reasons. The country is friendly, beautiful, easy to navigate, cosmopolitan, and so much more. Not to mention, you can always find cool activities in summer or winter, making Canada a very versatile destination for any solo traveler.

Needless to say, I love Canada and can’t recommend a trip highly enough! I still wanna see Toronto, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and so much more.

Without further ado, here are my five main reasons why you ought to try solo travel in Canada. (Although, let’s be real: this country rules for anyone who’s eager to visit).

Happy travels!

Solo Travel Canada = Gorgeous.

1. Solo Travel in Canada is Super Safe.

A solo trip to Canada means you will never have to look over your shoulder in fear. Nor will you have to constantly check the safety of your belongs.

On both my trips to Canada, I’ve never had a problem with safety. Sure, there are neighborhoods to avoid in bigger cities, like every other country in existence, but if you use common sense, you’ll be absolutely fine! I’ve had way more issues with intimidation and harassment in the United States than Canada.

Solo female travelers are common, too. You won’t be stared at or belittled or questioned for traveling alone. You easily blend into a crowd, which is awesome, especially if it’s your first time traveling alone.

Canada’s tourism infrastructure is also fantastic and the police are trustworthy, both which help ensure a stress-free trip if you go alone. Don’t ever hesitate to ask for help if you feel uncomfortable.

However, even though I have nothing except great things to say about Canada’s safety, you need to exercise caution when it comes to Mother Nature. For example, respect the wildlife in Canada’s beautiful national parks. Meaning don’t get too close to elk and bears. You may, uh, regret trying to take that perfect selfie with a black bear. Just don’t do it.

Furthermore, send an itinerary to trusted friends and family if you choose to hike alone in Canada’s great national parks. Banff and Jasper are undeniably beautiful. However, every year, helicopters are summoned to save lost hikers high in the mountains. Take precautions and don’t be a statistic.

2. Meet Friendly People When You Travel Canada Alone.

One of the best reasons why Canada is perfect for solo female travel! Even if you’re an introvert, you want to encounter kind and smiling people when you’re going to Canada alone.

A big stereotype about Canadians is that they’re super duper nice to everyone. Yeah, yeah, stereotypes are sometimes wrong and bad, but honestly? In my experience Canadian kindness is true. And it’s awesome!

I can’t tell you the number of times complete strangers offered me travel tips, took my picture, chatted to me about Canada-US relations, recommended me food, etc. When you’re alone, these conversations make you feel very welcome and comfortable. This is especially important if you’re traveling by yourself for the very first time.

Over all, Canadians are amazing. As an American, I couldn’t ask for better neighbors! So, if you’re a solo traveler, expect a lot of kindness and manners from locals.

In addition, Canada has a lot of nifty working holiday programs, so it’s pretty easy to meet other solo travelers and build a network of new friends. What could be better?

The only place I didn’t encounter kindness was at the Toronto Pearson Airport, but hey, that’s to be expected.

3. Travel Canada Alone and See the Best Natural Beauty

Ahh, wondrous nature is another epic reason why solo travel in Canada is perfect for travelers everywhere. Do you love nature? Then Canada is for you.

In particular, Western Canada’s national parks will SLAY all your senses into a million swooning pieces. Seriously, Banff and Jasper are so. damn. beautiful. Go enjoy the best hikes in Banff and make all your friends at home feeling sick with envy.

Even now, sometimes I flip through my camping trip photos and wonder how these perfect mountains, lakes, lush greenery, etc. even exist in the real world. Like… wow.

However, Canada’s incredible scenery reaches every corner of the country, not just the most popular parks. For example, Mount Royal offers a touch of spectacular nature in the confines of a large city. It’s amazing.

You want to see plenty of beauty as a solo female traveler, so you can show your family and friends why exploring the world alone is worth the hassle and anxiety. In Canada, your camera and hiking boots will help prepare for a real visual treat. I promise. Go enjoy the fresh air.

Shopping, parks, museums galore! Each city is very unique, too. For example, my solo trip to Vancouver left me feeling confident, because I learned to navigate the bus system all on my own! Not to mention, unwinding in Stanley Park was a perfect way to relax after my epic camping trip across the western section of the country.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, I seriously felt as if I had been transported to France without the long painful flight. So awesome. And the food? Was divine. You need to go for poutine even if you’re on a diet, I mean it.

And even though every city has areas to avoid, I found Vancouver and Montreal to be very safe. I don’t think I was bothered once, actually.

5. Travel Solo in Canada More than Once!

Finally, what’s really cool about Canada is that you can visit a million times and never ever feel bored. You can always discover a new magical corner of this stunning country.

Sure, some travelers like to go to a new country every year, but Canada has so so so much to experience that it would be impossible to cram everything into one whirlwind vacation. Especially when you consider Canada’s sheer land mass, goodness.

Again, Canada’s diversity truly makes it a special destination.

Go to Quebec and you’ll hear French spoken in the streets. Or perhaps spend 3 days in Vancouver. Eat plenty of sushi, see the museums, and explore Canada’s largest Chinatown. Go to Calgary for the stampede or ride an electric bull. Not to mention, much like the United States, Canada was a beacon for many immigrants meaning you can travel the entire world without ever leaving the country! Cool, huh?

The possibilities are endless in Canada! So spread your wings and enjoy every second.

Bonus: Would I Choose Solo Travel in Canada Again?

Yes! Absolutely!

On both my trips to Canada, I have met incredible people and learned a lot about my country’s neighbor in the north. I pushed myself to the limit to hike in Banff National Park. I attended a hockey game in Montreal. I explored Stanley Park in Vancouver and forged friendships with complete strangers.

Traveling to Canada changed my life in many ways. I’m more aware of the relationship between Canada and the United State, which I feel makes me a better American. Not to mention, I have a deeper respect for nature, especially the impact of global warming, thanks to my trips to Canada’s national parks.

So, yes, I would do more solo travel in Canada if the opportunity presented itself. And you should go too.

Finally Canada also has some amazing hostels for all you women who are traveling alone. For instance, M Montreal in Montreal was warm and cozy with the gentleman at the front desk greeting me kindly despite arriving well after midnight. There were homemade croissants available for breakfast every single day, too! Mmmm, delicious. Another awesome hostel was Samesun Vancouver conveniently located on Granville Street, amidst the heart of the action. Samesun’s friendly staff gave tours every day making it super simple to meet new people.

Don’t hesitate to book your trip. You will be fine. Actually you will be more than fine. You’ll come back new and improved and even friendlier, haha. Enjoy your journey to Canada.

Comments

So glad to hear you had such great experiences in my home country. I love it too, but I guess I’d be a bit biased eh? 🙂

I’ve never been further west than Ontario so looking forward to the day I get to explore Banff, Jasper, BC – all of it- myself. I think you’ll really like the Maritimes too. I’m from New Brunswick but have spent a fair amount of time in Nova Scotia visiting family, and I love PEI. When you start planning that trip, don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll give you all kinds of ideas of places to see, things to do, and especially some local foods.. like fiddleheads! Yum!

I’m going this summer! YAY! I can’t wait 🙂 As I have a friend in Quebec, that’s where I’m heading to. I am still on the lookout for places to hike (I like longer thru-hikes). The downside of Canada is that it is so damn BIG! I found some nice park in Quebec and then figured it’s 1000+ km from Quebec City! The distances are just mind-blowing, but probably not as much for you, being from the US, but from Europeans, it’s just scary 😀

Thank you for sharing! I’m researching places to visit in Canada. I’m 23 and this is my first trip alone…anywhere, really haha I’m still overwhelmed by all the choices I have lol I mean, I want a little bit of everything! I want a place where I can visit a beach and cultural markets by day, and by night visit a nice café or find a nice place to dance. Where do you recommend? haha

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Blond Wayfarer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read my privacy policy for more information regarding affiliates.